1. The Rise of Islam

2. Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad
Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority
Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia
Nomadic Religion = Polytheistic
Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast.
Mecca = Caravan City
Between Yemen & Syria
Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine w/idols inside

3. Muhammad & Foundation of Islam
Orphan born in Mecca
Became involved in the caravan trade
The ‘Final Prophet’
In 610CE received revelations (1 God = Allah)
Submission = Salvation
622 fled to Medina / Formed a single community of believers (umma)
The Succession of the Caliph
Abu Bakr (Father-in-law)
Goals = Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State
Civil War over 3rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects
Sunni’s= Abu Bakr
Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law & 1st cousin)
Kharijite (Militant followers of Ali)

5. The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258
Period of Islamic Conquests
Possible reasons: Religious fanaticism, weakness of enemies, talent of Muslim leaders, structure of Arab Society
Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates
Arab Empire (not a Muslim Empire), ruled from Damascus, Syria
Umayyad Overthrown 750 w/ help of Shi’ites
Abbasid Caliphate (family of Abbas, Muhammad’s cousin)
Cultural Center of Baghdad, Golden Age of literature & science. Non-Arab conversion in cosmopolitan centers.
Political Fragmentation (Mamluks grew in power), too diverse of a region to hold under Arab rule as Islam spread.
Attacks = Christian Crusades, Turkish & Mongol Invasions (Mongols killed final Caliph in 1258)

7. Islamic Civilization Islamic Law = Shari’a
Based on collections of reports known as Hadith
Conversion & Urbanization were related
Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy
Women
Veiled & secluded though could be influencial
Only slave women could be in public unchaperoned
Rights under Islamic Law
Right to inherit & own prop.
Right to divorce
Right to remarry
Testify in Court / Pilgrimage
Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima (Muhammad’s 1st wife & daughter)